What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingJojoba Esters
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCanola Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTetrahydrodiferuloylmethane
AntioxidantAlcohol
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingLecithin
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientRetinyl Retinoate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTetrahydropiperine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingSoy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningSqualene
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantGlycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Heptyl Undecylenate, Pentylene Glycol, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Jojoba Esters, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Canola Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Alcohol, Parfum, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Retinyl Retinoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrahydropiperine, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Beta-Sitosterol, Soy Isoflavones, Squalene, Ascorbyl Palmitate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Hydrolyzed Candida Saitoana Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGalactoarabinan
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
CleansingCaprooyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingCassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantOxycoccus Palustris Seed Oil
AntioxidantRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingWithania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningEllagic Acid
Skin ConditioningPhenyl T-Butylnitrone
AntioxidantErgothioneine
AntioxidantGlutathione
Mirabilis Jalapa Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningChrysin
Skin ConditioningGlutamylamidoethyl Imidazole
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
PerfumingLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Hybrida Oil
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclodextrin
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSteareth-20
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDextran
Acetyl Tributyl Citrate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Candida Saitoana Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Galactoarabinan, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Hyaluronic Acid, Oxycoccus Palustris Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract, Retinal, Ellagic Acid, Phenyl T-Butylnitrone, Ergothioneine, Glutathione, Mirabilis Jalapa Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Chrysin, Glutamylamidoethyl Imidazole, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Cyclodextrin, Caprylyl Glycol, Steareth-20, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Dextran, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.